Chapter 79.2

Lunch was made by Han Cheng, or more accurately, under Su Xiaoxiao’s guidance.

In the kitchen, Su Xiaoxiao followed Han Cheng like a small tail, and behind her was Xiao Doubao, who also looked like the small tail of his mother, forming a playful trio. Han Cheng’s smile never faded from his face, making him look particularly handsome.

Making lean meat porridge was easy. In the morning, Han Cheng prepared a large pot of porridge, and they had half of the lean meat for lunch, saving the other half for making steamed meat cakes in the evening. They sliced the meat, marinated it with salt, sugar, pepper, and shredded ginger, then added it back to the boiling porridge to cook. This method produced a unique and delicious flavor for the lean meat porridge.

Han Cheng was daring enough to eat roasted duck without bringing back the sweet bean sauce. So Su Xiaoxiao had to guide him on how to make some.

First, they fried some scallion oil and set it aside to cool. Then, they put a few spoonfuls of flour in the pan and stir-fried it until slightly brown, then cooled it down. In a separate bowl, they mixed an appropriate amount of salt, sugar, soy sauce, pepper, and a bowl of water with the flour to form a smooth mixture. They saved half of the fried scallion oil and poured the prepared flour mixture into the pan, continuously stirring and cooking it over low heat until it thickened to the right consistency. Before removing it from the heat, they mixed in the reserved scallion oil, creating a perfectly balanced, savory, and sweet bean sauce with a fragrant aroma. 

Side dishes such as scallions and cucumbers are directly replaced by tomatoes mixed with sugar. Han Cheng happened to buy it, but making lotus leaf pancakes was too much trouble, so he didn’t fuss over it and simply used the lettuce leaves as wraps, which were also refreshing to eat.

Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Zhuzi arrived home from school, and Han Cheng took out the hot roast duck from the “oven,” and the sight of it made the three cubs exclaim, ‘Wow! Wow! Wow! ‘

Hungry Xiao Fantuan swallowed his saliva and said, “Dad, this roast duck looks great too!”

Su Xiaoxiao, being pregnant, wasn’t too fond of such greasy food, but the aroma was indeed tempting.

Xiao Doubao is still young, so Su Xiaoxiao doesn’t want him to eat too much roast duck. Before the big boys came back from school, she and Xiao Doubao had had enough lean meat Congee, so now she could fully serve everyone.

Su Xiaoxiao used Han Cheng’s sharpened military knife to slice the roasted duck. She then placed them on several lettuce leaves, spread sweet bean sauce on them, and then added a small piece of tomato. She wrapped the first piece and fed it to Han Cheng.

Han Cheng obediently opened his mouth—it tasted fresher than when he had eaten it with lotus leaf pancakes, not as strong, but more suitable for the taste of people from the southern region. Once again, he marveled at how Su Xiaoxiao was truly an expert in cooking.

The kids found this way of eating particularly novel, eagerly opening their mouths and waiting for the food. Their stomachs were relatively delicate, so after tasting a few bites of lettuce, they directly grabbed two legs each and dipped them in sweet bean sauce before eating.

Xiao Fantuan, after getting hold of a duck leg, was practically wagging his tail with excitement. When he took a bite, he ended up with sauce smeared all over his mouth. “Mom, your way of eating is delicious, no doubt, but it’s just too slow! I can’t wait, it’s much tastier to eat meat in big mouthfuls!”

Han Cheng gave him a sidelong glance and said, “If you think it’s slow, then don’t eat it. You’re the only one who talks too much.” 

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t eat it herself, yet she had painstakingly prepared the sliced duck for him, and he still complained it was slow.

Xiao Fantuan dodged and nibbled on the ducks without speaking.

Su Xiaoxiao specialized in serving only Han Cheng. As Han Cheng looked at his beloved, he often felt a sense of contentment with having such a wife.

After all, the weather had turned cold, and Su Xiaoxiao didn’t dare let Han Cheng eat too much. She cut most of the remaining bones and meat into small pieces, which could be seasoned with a little salt and grilled in the evening, making for a delicious meal. Han Cheng bought some small shells and soaked them with kelp to make kelp soup, which also added to the delightful dinner. Su Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, resigned herself to eating steamed meat patties.
Fantuan and Zhuzi’s gifts were not given to them all at once. After dinner, Han Cheng first taught the children the simplest game of checkers. 

The two clever cubs quickly grasped the rules and became so engrossed in playing that they refused to take a nap.

Su Xiaoxiao had to confiscate the checkers before they reluctantly went to bed, but she negotiated with them to play during their school break in the afternoon.
Han Cheng took care of all the household chores with his two cubs while resting at home. Su Xiaoxiao had a lot more time to study. Her health improved significantly, but she started to feel sleepy easily.

She started taking lunch breaks with Han Cheng, who is not used to taking afternoon naps.

The next day, life resumed its normal routine, with work and school as usual.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know how Han Cheng told the cubs about her pregnancy, but things have changed around the house. Now, she doesn’t have to get up early to make breakfast, and Han Cheng takes the cubs with him to the market after his morning exercise to buy groceries. Su Xiaoxiao can sleep until 7:30 in the morning.

Xiao Doubao doesn’t let her carry him now and insists on walking on his own. He used to rush to her like a little cannonball, but now he calmly walks over and holds her hand.

Zhuzi and Fantuan acted more like her protective bodyguards. Previously, they used to walk in the middle, protecting Xiao Doubao on the way to school. Now, she and Doubao walk in the middle, being “protected” by the older cubs. They are quick to shield her from anyone they see approaching as if they are afraid she might be harmed.

Even during morning readings or after school, the three brothers don’t wait for her in the classroom anymore. As soon as the bell rings, they rush to the office to “pick her up.” If mischievous students are running around the hallway and it looks like they are about to bump into Su Xiaoxiao, both Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Zhuzi will get angry and roll up their sleeves to beat up the naughty kids.

Su Xiaoxiao felt that it was really necessary to have a good conversation with men of all sizes at home. She is just carrying a baby in her belly, not turning into something fragile or delicate.